Watching Brief at Drayton Sewage Treatment Works (STW)

In January 2023, AOC Archaeology Group undertook an archaeological watching brief (WB) at Drayton Sewage Treatment Works (STW) Oxfordshire, which is owned and maintained by Thames Water, centred at 448290, 193459 (nearest postcode OX14 4EZ). The project involved a cable percussive borehole ground investigation conducted by Tilbury Douglas Construction Ltd. (TDCL) on behalf of the Thames Water Utilities, following best practice for such works in regard to the heritage provisions contained within both the National Planning Policy Framework and local planning policy. The Site was located within the existing operational STW: the eastern half comprised in-use process tanks/structures and associated buildings/plant, while, the majority of the western half included disused sludge tanks and undeveloped area, with the southwestern corner appearing to be overgrown/scrub. At the time of the watching brief the STW was surrounded by arable fields. The on-site works involved the excavation of six boreholes and four test pits. One of the test pits required the excavation of three additional sondages in its immediate proximity to better assess the underground deposits. The watching brief monitored all excavations and until natural geology was observed, or the required depth reached. No archaeological or paleoenvironmental deposits were observed or artefacts retrieved. However, one potential linear feature was recorded in Borehole 6 though modern and functionally most likely animal burrowing. The natural sandy gravel geology was identified below the modern topsoil and a modern levelling layer across the Site with limited burrowing disturbance (BH06) and some concrete foundations identified (TP03). As such, the project has determined a complete absence of archaeological remains or paleoenvironmental deposits within the investigation of Drayton Sewage Treatment Works.